H/AKJ-16

H/AKJ-16 vertical launching system
Four racks of 8-tube cells onboard frigate Xuzhou
Type	Missile launching system
Place of origin	China
Service history
Used by	PLAN

H/AKJ-16 is a Chinese hot-launch vertical launching system (VLS) used aboard the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) surface combatants. ^[1] When introduced on the Type 054A frigate, it was China's first modern naval VLS system. ^[2]

Specifications

The cells have a square cross-section with 650 millimetres (26 in) sides. The length of the launch tube is not publicly known. ^[1]

As a hot-launch system, it has a limited choice of compatible missiles, those being the HQ-16 family of surface-to-air missiles and the Yu-8 rocket-assisted torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare. ^{[2] [1]}

Current Operators

• China
  • Type 054A frigate - 32 cells (4x8) ^[2]
  • Type 054B frigate - 32 cells (4x8) ^[1]
  • Type 054AG corvette - 32 cells (4x8) ^[2]

See also

• GJB 5860-2006 - a new, larger, standard Chinese VLS.
• K-VLS - A vertical launching system of Republic of Korea Navy.
• Mark 41 Vertical Launching System - A vertical launching system of United States Navy.
• Poliment-Redut - A vertical launching system of Russian Navy, navalized version of S-350.
• 3S-14 - A vertical launching system of Russian Navy for cruise, anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles.
• Sylver - A vertical launching system designed by DCNS.

References

1. 江炘杓; 陳宥芯. "中共海軍 054B 護衛艦作戰力量評估" [Combat Capability Assessment of the People's Liberation Army Navy Type 054B Frigate] (in Chinese). Retrieved 2 January 2026.
2. "紅旗16C登艦　瘦身增程火力爆升 - 台海 - 大公文匯網" [HHQ-16C Embarked on Warship: Slimmed Down, Extended Range, Dramatically Enhanced Firepower - Taiwan Strait - Ta Kung Wen Wei Po] (in Chinese). Retrieved 2 January 2026.